London Health Podcast

In better times, Bill Shankly said “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.” So how does a football club balance life, death and football, when in lockdown? Ivor Heller shares, and with feeling.

What do you do as a Headteacher when the support your school gives to some vulnerable families can no longer be offered in the same way? Emma Murray shares how leadership skills during the time of lockdown helped her to hold on to her values and priorities, way beyond education.

As schools close and education is delivered using technology to young people in their homes, many are online more than ever. Catherine McAllister shares her insights into how children and teenagers can stay safe online and how the BBC Own It App and resources can support them.

When stressed, one of the things that has been shown to help the most, is a good night’s sleep. Michael Farquhar, an expert in sleep medicine, shares the latest insights on what helps to improve the length and quality of sleep.

Dr Tom Coffey OBE, GP and Senior Advisor to the Mayor of London, talks about how much he has changed his ways of working in recent weeks, more than during the rest of his career, and in many ways for the better.

Imagine that point in life, when you get to live independently, start to earn your own money, and in a flash it all disappears. Musician Jack Apperley describes how his world was turned upside down, and yet by holding on to his values, he has hope for the future.

As Londoners were suddenly facing the challenges of working from home, many also lost the social and other rewards that come with working together in an organisation. Kathryn Davies shares what has helped a dispersed global workforce come together, and how they maintain their wellbeing.

One of the many side-effects of isolation is a compulsion to self-improve, such as learning a language or a new skill. It can become relentless. Musicologist, Edward Breen suggests another path, and one less driven. If we can stop, and allow for some space in our lives, we can rediscover and find things of value, such as a deep listening to music.

At times of stress and uncertainty, we might strive to ‘live in hope’. But hope is not a gift that comes to us from outside of ourselves, it is something we can build through our actions. Retired Bishop Steven Oliver shares how being active, and achieving small things can strengthen hope, and improve our wellbeing.

A holiday and a visit from a friend set in motion a series of events that no-one could have anticipated. GP Dr Bob Levin shares his account of being one of the first people in the UK to be isolated because of COVID-19. Listen to what helped him.

London has a hugely complex and challenging homelessness issue and the most recent statistics make for sober reading. Key to either improving people’s lives and lessening the NHS burden – or, inadvertently continuing the cycle – is how discharge of homeless patients is managed. This episode looks to examine the picture in London, get perspectives from service users, providers and those who want to...